Single aluminum tamper indicating tabbed sealing member

ABSTRACT

A tamper evident tabbed sealing member for sealing to a rim surrounding a container opening is described that includes a multi-layer laminate configured to isolate a residual ring of material that remains on a container land area upon seal removal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national phase application filed under 35U.S.C. § 371 of International Application Number PCT/US2017/058521,filed Oct. 26, 2017, designating the United States, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/414,547, filed Oct. 28,2016.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to sealing members for use as secondary closureson containers, and more particularly, to tamper indicating tabbedsealing members.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to seal the opening of a container using aremovable or peelable seal, sealing member, or inner seal. Often a capor other closure is then screwed or placed over the container openingcapturing the sealing member therein. In use, a consumer typicallyremoves the cap or other closure to gain access to the sealing memberand then removes or otherwise peels the seal from the container in orderto dispense or gain access to its contents.

In some cases, the inner seal provides tamper evidence whereby a portionof the seal remains on the container as evidence that the sealing memberhas been removed or tampered with. For instance, upon removal of thesealing member from the container, the laminate forming the sealingmember is designed to rupture and leave debris on the container finishto indicate that the package has been opened. Prior examples of suchtamper evident tabbed liners resulted in laminates that left debris onthe container directly dependent on the placement of the tab. Forexample, if the tab was on the top of the sealing member and definedwholly within its perimeter and covering approximately 50 percent of theseal, then prior seals generally left debris on the container land areaand also covering over approximately 50 percent of the containeropening. The consumer would then need to remove this remaining sealportion in order to effectively use the container, which tended to serveas a nuisance to some consumers and in some applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-section view of an exemplary tabbed sealingmember of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross section of a tabbed sealing member of thedisclosure with the relative location of residual material that would beleft on the container rim land area;

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-section view of an exemplary tabbed sealingmember of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross section of a tabbed sealing member of thedisclosure with the relative location of residual material that would beleft on the container rim land area;

FIG. 5 is an image showing a tabbed sealing member removed from acontainer with residual material left on the container rim land area;

FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-section view of another exemplary tabbedsealing member of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-section view of another exemplary tabbedsealing member of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is an image showing another tabbed sealing member removed from acontainer with residual material left on the container rim land area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to tabbed sealing membershaving a gripping tab defined wholly within a perimeter of the seal thatare also configured to provide tamper evidence. The sealing membersherein eliminate the excessive debris left by prior tamper evidenttop-tabbed type inner seals. In one aspect, the sealing members hereinare arranged and configured to isolate the residual debris, afterremoval of the sealing member from the container via the tab, to theland region of the container rim independent of the size or positioningof the tab on the top surface of the sealing member. In another aspect,the tabbed sealing members herein utilize a unique layered assembly toaid in achieving the isolated debris left as a ring of sealant andaluminum layer on the container rim.

In a preferred approach, a laminate is configured upon removal from thecontainer to leave a residue of sealant and aluminum remnants isolatedto the container finish, which controls the amount of residual linerremaining on the container after opening. Preferably, the isolatedremnants are a thin annular ring of the sealant and aluminum layer.Reducing the land areas and also stepping in the container finish helpto reduce the removal force of this design. That is, the top surfacearea of the container rim land area may be reduced. The separationfunctionality is controlled by the gauge of the aluminum in the baselayer and the selection of the adhesive between the layers.

By one approach, the tabbed sealing member includes the lamination of abase foil layer and sealant component that is bonded to a support toform a tamper evident substructure. The bonding may be by extrusionlamination or thermal lamination. Optional layers may then be applied tothe tamper evident substructure, such as foam layers, non-foam polymerlayers, and various tab components to form a tamper evident sealingmember configured to isolate the residual debris to the container rim.

For simplicity, this disclosure generally may refer to a container orbottle, but the sealing members herein may be applied to any type ofcontainer, bottle, package or other apparatus having a rim or mouthsurrounding an access opening to an internal cavity. In this disclosure,reference to upper and lower surfaces and layers of the components ofthe sealing member refers to an orientation of the components asgenerally depicted in the figures and when the sealing member is in usewith a container in an upright position and having an opening at the topof the container. Different approaches to the sealing member will firstbe generally described, and then more specifics of the variousconstructions and materials will be explained thereafter. It will beappreciated that the sealing members described herein, in some cases,function in both a one-piece or two-piece sealing member configuration.A one-piece sealing member generally includes just the sealing memberbonded to a container rim. A cap or closure may be also used therewith.A two-piece sealing member includes the sealing member temporarilybonded to a liner. In this construction, the sealing member is bonded toa container's rim, and the liner is configured to separate from thesealing member during heating to be retained in a cap or other closureused on the container. In a two-piece construction, a wax layer, forexample, may be used to temporarily bond the sealing member to a liner.Other types of releasable layers may also be used to provide a temporarybond between the seal and liner, but the releasable layers are generallyheat activated.

Turning to FIG. 1, one example of a tamper evident tabbed sealing member10 is shown. Seal 10 includes an upper laminate 12 partially bonded to alower laminate 14 via a partial bond 16 to form a gripping tab 17defined wholly within a perimeter of the seal. In this approach, theseal also includes a partial layer or tab stock 18 to aid in forming thetab 17. The tab stock 18 is bonded to layers in the upper laminate 12but not bonded to layers in the lower laminate 14. Further, as shown inFIG. 1, in one approach, the tabbed sealing member 10 may also include apulp backing 19 and a wax layer 21. Once installed on a container, thepulp backing 19 and/or wax layer 21 may separate from the remainder ofthe sealing member 10 to permit a user to access the tab 17.

The upper laminate 12 may also include a polymer film support layer 20to provide structural support and a co-polymer layer or bonding layer 22to bond the polymer film 20 to the lower laminate 14. Here, the film 20is partially bonded to the tab stock 18 and partially bonded to thelower laminate via the bonding layer 22.

Support film layer 20 may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon,polyolefin, or other structural polymer layer and may be, in someapproaches, about 0.5 to about 2.5 mils thick.

When using the tab stock 18, the tab 17 is defined or formed via the tabstock 18 that extends only part way across the upper laminate 12. Morespecifically, the tab stock 18 forms the tab 17 because it bonds to thebonding layer 22 and generally prevents layer 20 (and any layers above)from adhering to the upper surface of the lower seal laminate 14 (or anylayers therebetween) across at least a portion thereof. A bottom surfaceof tab stock 18 is adjacent to, but not bonded to, the upper surface ofthe lower laminate 14 to form the tab 17.

In one aspect, the tab stock 18 is formed of polyester, such aspolyethylene terephthalate (PET), or paper. By one optional approach, alower surface of the tab stock 18 may be coated with a release material,for example silicone. The optional release coating minimizes thepossibility that the tab stock 18 will become adhered to the uppersurface of the lower laminate 14 during the heat sealing or inductionheat sealing process. The tab stock 18 permits the tab structure 17 topivot or hinge upwardly along a boundary line to form the tab 17. Bythis approach, the tab stock 18 and formed tab 17 are defined whollywithin a circumference or perimeter of the seal.

The bonding layer 22 may include any polymer materials that adhesivelybond, are heat activated, or heated to achieve its bondingcharacteristics or application to the seal. By one approach, the bondinglayer 22 may be selected from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyolefin,2-component polyurethane, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, curabletwo-part urethane adhesives, epoxy adhesives, ethylene methacrylatecopolymers and the like bonding materials. As shown, the activatedbonding layer 22 extends the full width of the laminate segment 12. Inother approaches, the laminate 12 may only include a partial layer ofadhesive and, thus, not use the tab stock layer 18 discussed above.

By one approach, the bonding layer 22 is EVA with a vinyl acetatecontent of about 20 to about 28 percent with the remaining monomer beingethylene in order to achieve the bond strengths to securely hold theupper laminate to the lower laminate. In some cases, a vinyl acetatecontent lower than 20 percent is insufficient to form the robuststructures described herein. By one approach, bonding layer 22 may beabout 0.5 to about 3.5 mils of EVA, in other approaches about 0.5 toabout 2.5 mils of EVA, in other approaches, about 0.5 to about 1.5 milsof EVA and, in yet other approaches, about 0.5 to about 1.0 mils of EVA;however, the thickness can vary as needed for a particular applicationto achieve the desired bonds and internal strength.

The lower laminate 14 forms the tamper evident substructure of theunique tamper evident sealing member 10. This substructure includes alower sealant or heat seal layer 30 that may be composed of any materialsuitable for bonding to the rim of a container, such as but not limitedto induction, conduction, or direct bonding methods. Suitable adhesives,hot melt adhesives, or sealants for the heat sealable layer 30 include,but are not limited to, polyesters, polyolefins, ethylene vinyl acetate,ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, surlyn, ionomers and other suitablematerials. By one approach, the heat sealable layer may be a singlelayer or a multi-layer structure of such materials about 0.2 to about 3mils thick. By some approaches, the heat seal layer is selected to havea composition similar to and/or include the same polymer type as thecomposition of the container. For instance, if the container includespolyethylene, then the heat seal layer would also contain polyethylene.If the container includes polypropylene, then the heat seal layer wouldalso contain polypropylene. Other similar materials combinations arealso possible. By one approach, the seal layer 30 is about 1 to about 2mils thick or, in some approaches, about 1.5 mils thick medium densitypolyethylene film (in some cases about 0.92 to about 0.94 g/cm, but maybe other density as needed).

Next, the sealing member includes a bonding layer 36 (or hot meltadhesive). The correct separation of the sealing member to isolate theresidue to the container land area may be impacted by the selection ofthis bonding layer 36. Thickness of this layer also helps achieve theunique functionality of the seals herein. The hot melt layer may have athickness from about 1 to about 3 mils. Layer 36 helps to maintainlamination integrity to hold the seal component together. Suitableexamples of materials for the bonding layer 36 include co-extrudedpolyethylene/EVA sealants having a high vinyl acetate composition (suchas about 20 to about 40 percent). Other suitable materials for thebonding layer 36 may include EVA hot melts, EAA coatings, or PET heatseal films. In one particular form, the bonding layer 36 is EVA-basedhot melt.

Above the bonding layer 36 there is a foil component or membrane layer38 and an upper polymer support component 40. The membrane layer 38 maybe one or more layers configured to provide induction heating and/orbarrier characteristics to the seal 10. A layer configured to provideinduction heating is any layer capable of generating heat upon beingexposed to an induction current where eddy currents in the layergenerate heat. By one approach, the membrane 38 may be a metal layer,such as, aluminum foil, tin, and the like. In other approaches, themembrane layer may be a polymer layer in combination with an inductionheating layer. The membrane layer 38 may also be or include anatmospheric barrier layer capable of retarding the migration of gasesand moisture at least from outside to inside a sealed container and, insome cases, also provide induction heating at the same time. Thus, themembrane layer 38 may be one or more layers configured to provide suchfunctionalities. By one approach, the membrane layer 38 is about 0.3 toabout 2 mils of a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, which is capable ofproviding induction heating and to function as an atmospheric barrier.In one particular approach, the member layer 38 is a 1 mil thickaluminum foil. There is some advantage in reducing the gauge of thealuminum component in the base foil laminate or substructure. Thinneraluminum foil is easier to break and the use of thinner foil reduces theforce required by the consumer to peel the liner from the container. Insome approaches, the membrane layer 38 is thinner than the lower heatseal layer.

The upper polymer support component 40 may be films, foams, or othersupport materials. For instance, component 40 may be a polymer foam or anon-foamed polymer film, such as polyolefin, or polyester films orfoams. In one form, the polymer support component 40 may comprise aplurality of layers such as, for example, a PET layer and an adhesivelayer, such as EVA. According to one form, the polymer support layer 40includes a co-extruded PET layer having an amorphous PET portion and acrystalline PET portion. Further, this form may also include an EVAlayer in combination with the co-extruded PET layer.

In yet another form, component 40 may be an insulation layer or aheat-redistribution layer. In one form, component 40 may include afoamed polymer layer. Suitable foamed polymers include foamedpolyolefin, foamed polypropylene, foamed polyethylene, and polyesterfoams. In some forms, these foams generally have an internal rupturestrength of about 2000 to about 3500 g/in. In some approaches, thefoamed polymer layer 106 may also have a density less than 0.6 g/cc and,in some cases, about 0.4 to less than about 0.6 g/cc. In otherapproaches, the density may be from about 0.4 g/cc to about 0.9 g/cc.The foamed polymer layer may be about 1 to about 5 mils thick.

In some approaches, the break-in or rupture force of the seal layersthat remain on the container is proportional to the sealant areasavailable on the container land region of the container.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the tabbed sealing membersherein. Various layers in FIG. 2 are similar to FIG. 1 and will not bedescribed further. Some of the layers in FIG. 2 may be different inthickness such as a foil layer that is 0.5 mil or less, but can be thesame as that described above.

FIG. 2 also shows where the laminate ruptures upon sealing memberremoval to isolate the residue on the container land area. The laminateseparates at 50 where the support component 40 peels away from themembrane layer 38 above the container rim land area (generally shown as51). Then, the membrane layer 38, bonding layer 36, and lower sealant 30rupture internally 54 along the inner edges of the container rim allaround the rim. This separation isolates the sealing member residue 60as a ring of material on the container rim as best shown in the image ofFIG. 5.

It should be appreciated that the bond strengths between the variouslayers as well as the tear strengths of the layers may be chosen suchthat a portion of the lower laminate ruptures to provide the residualring of material on the container rim. In this form, the bond strengthbetween the various layers in the tamper evident lower laminatesubstructure is greater than the tear strength of the layers in thetamper evident lower laminate substructure except for the upper polymersupport layer such that upon removing the sealing member from acontainer, the upper polymer support layer separates from at least aportion of the primary metal layer to isolate a residual ring ofmaterial on the container land area comprising the lowermost heat seallayer, the bonding layer, and the primary metal layer.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the bond strength between the upper polymersupport 40 is less than the bonds between the membrane layer 38, thebonding layer 36, and the heat seal 30. In this form, the outermostportions of the membrane layer 38, the bonding layer 36, and the heatseal 30 remain bonded to the container while the polymer support 40separates from the foil 38 at the outermost edges while maintaining thebond to the foil layer 38 inwardly from the outermost edge. In thisform, the ruptured material from the membrane layer 38, the bondinglayer 36, and the heat seal 30, positioned inwardly from the outermostedge, will remain bonded to the upper polymer support 40.

In some approaches, there is a small overhang or annular flange of thesealing member extending beyond the container rim when sealed to thecontainer rim. In some approaches, this overhang may be about 1 to about3 mm. In other approaches, the container finish may be stepped inwardlyso that the upper land area is reduced forming the overhang of material.This overhang of material is generally illustrated in FIG. 5.

In some approaches, the following features define the sealing membersherein. The various features and limitations of the sealing membersdescribed above, in the Figures, and discussed below are not exclusiveto the mentioned sealing member, but may be included in any combinationthereof. Mention of an aspect or embodiment of the seals or containerherein is not intended to imply that such aspect or embodiment ismutually exclusive of all other aspects or embodiments. In other words,the various features as set forth herein may be united in variouscombinations as needed for a particular application and features in oneparagraph may be combined with features in other paragraphs as needed.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The embodiment shown inFIG. 3 is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that theembodiment in FIG. 3 does not include a pulp layer or wax layer. Itshould be appreciated that various layers in FIG. 3 are similar to FIG.1 and will not be described further.

Yet another embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 having additional featuresbeyond those shown in the embodiment in FIG. 3. For example, theembodiment in FIG. 6 includes colored polymer layer 32. This coloredpolymer layer 32 can provide further tamper indication when the tabbedsealing member is removed.

The colored polymer layer 32 can take a variety of forms, such as amedium density polyethylene layer. The colored polymer layer 32 may alsobe co-extruded with one or more layers and/or may otherwise be adheredto one or more layers in the lower laminate 14. For example, in oneform, the colored polymer layer 32 may be adhered to the heat seal, suchas at 34. Further, the colored polymer layer 32 may be located in otherpositions in the lower laminate 14 as long as the colored polymer layeris torn to provide further tamper indication. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, when the seal is removed, a portion of the colored polymer layer32 is visible on the land area, such as at 62, and visible on theremoved portion of the seal, such as at 64. The colored polymer layer 32may include a color that contrasts with colors from at least some of theother layers in the laminate.

Yet another embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. This embodiment is similar tothe embodiment of FIG. 1 in that the pulp layer 19 and wax layer 21 areincluded. This embodiment also includes a colored polymer layer 32 andprovides similar functionality as described in FIGS. 6 and 8. It shouldbe appreciated that various layers in FIG. 7 are similar to FIGS. 1 and6 and will not be described further.

In one form, embodiment, or version, a tamper evident tabbed sealingmember for sealing to a rim surrounding a container opening is providedthat includes one or more foil layers. This sealing member may include amulti-layer laminate with an upper laminate portion partially bonded toa tamper evident lower laminate substructure to form a gripping tab inthe upper laminate portion defined wholly within a perimeter of thesealing member. The gripping tab is configured for removing the sealingmember from a container opening. The tamper evident lower laminatesubstructure below the gripping tab including at least a heat seal layerfor bonding to the container rim, a primary metal layer positioned forheating the heat seal layer, a bonding layer, and an upper polymersupport layer; and upon the sealing member removal from a container, themetal layer and the heat seal layer separate from the polymer supportlayer to isolate a residual ring of material that remains on thecontainer land area.

The tamper evident tabbed sealing member above may also include theisolated residual ring of material being independent of the size orpositioning of the tab, wherein the upper polymer support layer is apolyolefin film or polyolefin foam layer or a multi-layer laminateincluding both film and foam components, wherein the heat seal layer ispolyester, polyolefin, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene-acrylic acidcopolymers, ionomers, medium density polyethylene, and combinationsthereof, wherein the lower heat seal layer is about 0.2 to about 3 milsthick, wherein the primary metal layer is thinner than the heat seallayer, wherein the primary metal layer is about 0.3 to about 2 milsthick, wherein a bond of the polymer support component to the metallayer is less than a bond of the polymer support component to the upperlaminate bonding layer in at least the portions above the container rimland area, further comprising a partial layer tabstock forming the tabdue to the tabstock bonded to the upper laminate but not bonded to thetamper evident lower laminate substructure below the tabstock, and/orany combinations of the above features.

In form, embodiment, or versions, a sealed container is described with afoil layer tamper evident tabbed sealing member. This sealing containermay include a container defined by a wall and having an inwardly steppedfinish with an upper land area surrounding a container opening, theupper land area of the inwardly stepped finish is thinner than thecontainer wall. The container may also include a tamper evident tabbedsealing member sealed to the upper land area rim, the tamper evidenttabbed sealing member including a multi-layer laminate including anupper laminate portion partially bonded to a tamper evident lowerlaminate substructure to form a gripping tab in the upper laminateportion defined wholly within a perimeter of the sealing member, thegripping tab for removing the sealing member from a container opening;and the tamper evident lower laminate substructure below the grippingtab including at least a heat seal layer for bonding to the containerrim, a metal layer positioned for heating the heat seal layer, a bondinglayer above the primary metal layer, and an upper polymer support layer.Upon the sealing member removal from a container, a portion of theprimary metal layer and the bonding layer separate from the polymersupport component to isolate a residual ring of material that remains onthe container land area.

The container may also include the isolated residual ring of materialbeing independent of the size or positioning of the tab, wherein theupper polymer support layer is a polyolefin film or polyolefin foamlayer or a multi-layer laminate including both film and foam components,wherein the heat seal layer is polyester, polyolefin, ethylene vinylacetate, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, ionomers, medium densitypolyethylene, and combinations thereof, wherein the lower heat seallayer is about 0.2 to about 3 mils thick, wherein the metal layer isthinner than the heat seal layer, wherein the metal layer is about 0.3to about 2 mils thick, wherein a bond of the polymer support componentto the metal layer is less than a bond of the polymer support componentto the upper laminate bonding layer in at least the portions above thecontainer rim land area. The sealed container may also include thetabstock as mentioned above.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials,and arrangements of the process, liner, seal, and combinations thereof,which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain thenature of the products and methods may be made by those skilled in theart within the principle and scope of the embodied product as expressedin the appended claims. For example, the seals may include other layerswithin the laminate and between the various layers shown and describedas needed for a particular application. Adhesive layers not shown in theFigures may also be used, if needed, to secure various layers together.Unless otherwise stated herein, all parts and percentages are by weight.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tamper evident tabbed sealing member forsealing to a rim surrounding a container opening, the sealing membercomprising: a multi-layer laminate including an upper laminate portionpartially bonded to a tamper evident lower laminate substructure to forma gripping tab via an unbonded portion between the upper laminateportion and the lower laminate substructure, the tab defined whollywithin a perimeter of the sealing member, the gripping tab for removingthe sealing member from a container opening; the tamper evident lowerlaminate substructure positioned below the gripping tab and including atleast a heat seal layer for bonding to the container rim, a primarymetal layer positioned for heating the heat seal layer, a bonding layerbelow the primary metal layer, and an upper polymer support layer, theupper polymer support layer comprising a polyethylene terephthalatematerial coated with ethylene vinyl acetate, the upper polymer supportlayer bonded directly to the primary metal layer; and upon removing thesealing member from a container, the upper polymer support layerseparates from at least a portion of the primary metal layer to isolatea residual ring of material on the container land area comprisingmaterial from the primary metal layer, the heat seal layer, and thebonding layer, wherein a bond strength of the polymer support layer tothe primary metal layer is less than a bond strength of the polymersupport layer to the upper laminate portion in a portion above thecontainer rim land area.
 2. The tamper evident tabbed sealing member ofclaim 1, wherein the isolated residual ring of material is independentof the size or positioning of the tab.
 3. The tamper evident tabbedsealing member of claim 1, wherein the upper polymer support layerincludes a polyethylene terephthalate film or polyethylene terephthalatefoam layer or a multi-layer laminate including both film and foamcomponents.
 4. The tamper evident tabbed sealing member of claim 1,wherein the heat seal layer is polyester, polyolefin, ethylene vinylacetate, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, ionomers, medium densitypolyethylene, and combinations thereof.
 5. The tamper evident tabbedsealing member of claim 1, wherein the lower heat seal layer is about0.2 to about 3 mils thick.
 6. The tamper evident tabbed sealing memberof claim 1, wherein the primary metal layer is thinner than the heatseal layer.
 7. The tamper evident tabbed sealing member of claim 1,wherein the primary metal layer is about 0.3 to about 2 mils thick. 8.The tamper evident tabbed sealing member of claim 1, further comprisinga partial layer tabstock forming a portion of the tab wherein thetabstock is bonded to the upper laminate but not bonded to the tamperevident lower laminate substructure below the tabstock.
 9. The tamperevident tabbed sealing member of claim 1, further comprising a coloredpolymer layer in the tamper evident lower laminate substructure having acolor that contrasts with at least some of the other layers in thetamper evident lower laminate substructure.
 10. A sealed containercomprising: a container defined by a wall and having an inwardly steppedfinish with an upper land area surrounding a container opening, theupper land area of the inwardly stepped finish is thinner than thecontainer wall; and a tamper evident tabbed sealing member sealed to theupper land area rim, the tamper evident tabbed sealing member includinga multi-layer laminate including an upper laminate portion partiallybonded to a tamper evident lower laminate substructure to form agripping tab via an unbonded portion between the upper laminate portionand the tamper evident lower laminate substructure, the gripping tabdefined wholly within a perimeter of the sealing member, the grippingtab for removing the sealing member from a container opening, the tamperevident lower laminate substructure below the gripping tab including atleast a heat seal layer for bonding to the container rim, a primarymetal layer positioned for heating the heat seal layer, a bonding layerbelow the primary metal layer, and an upper polymer support layer, theupper polymer support layer comprising a polyethylene terephthalatematerial coated with ethylene vinyl acetate, the upper polymer supportlayer bonded directly to the primary metal layer, and wherein upon thesealing member removal from a container, the upper polymer support layerseparates from at least a portion of the primary metal layer to isolatea residual ring of material on the container land area comprisingmaterial from the primary metal layer, the heat seal layer, and thebonding layer, wherein a bond strength of the polymer support layer tothe primary metal layer is less than a bond strength of the polymersupport layer to the upper laminate portion in a portion above thecontainer rim land area.
 11. The container of claim 10, wherein theisolated residual ring of material is independent of the size orpositioning of the tab.
 12. The container of claim 10, wherein the upperpolymer support layer includes a polyethylene terephthalate film orpolyethylene terephthalate foam layer or a multi-layer laminateincluding both film and foam components.
 13. The container of claim 10,wherein the heat seal layer is polyester, polyolefin, ethylene vinylacetate, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, ionomers, medium densitypolyethylene, and combinations thereof.
 14. The container of claim 10,wherein the lower heat seal layer is about 0.2 to about 3 mils thick.15. The container of claim 10, wherein the primary metal layer isthinner than the heat seal layer.
 16. The container of claim 10, whereinthe primary metal layer is about 0.3 to about 2 mils thick.
 17. Thecontainer of claim 10 further comprising a colored polymer layer in thetamper evident lower laminate substructure having a color that contrastswith at least some of the other layers in the tamper evident lowerlaminate substructure.
 18. A laminate for forming a tamper evidenttabbed sealing member for sealing to a rim surrounding a containeropening, the laminate comprising: a tamper evident lower laminatesubstructure, the tamper evident lower laminate substructure includingat least a lowermost heat seal layer, a primary metal layer positionedabove the heat seal layer, a bonding layer between the primary metallayer and the lowermost heat seat layer, and an upper polymer supportlayer, the upper polymer support layer comprising a polyethyleneterephthalate material coated with ethylene vinyl acetate, the upperpolymer support layer bonded directly to the primary metal layer; and anupper laminate portion partially bonded to the tamper evident lowerlaminate substructure to form a gripping tab using an unbonded portionof the upper laminate portion, the gripping tab defined wholly within aperimeter of the sealing member when the laminate is formed into asealing member, the bond strength between the layers in the tamperevident lower laminate substructure being greater than the tear strengthof the layers in the tamper evident lower laminate substructure exceptfor the upper polymer support layer such that upon removing the sealingmember from a container, the upper polymer support layer separates fromat least a portion of the primary metal layer to isolate a residual ringof material on the container land area comprising the lowermost heatseal layer, the bonding layer, and the primary metal layer.